Russia's COVID-19 cases grow 9,974

Russia confirmed 9,974 new coronavirus infections Thursday, bringing the country's official number of cases to 252,245.

The increase marks the first time since May 2 that Russia recorded fewer than 10,000 new cases per day, according to local media.

Russia is now the second most-affected country in terms of infections and has the world's second-fastest rate of new infections behind the United States.

Ninety-three people died over the past 24 hours, bringing the total toll to 2,305.

The Kremlin this week eased a national lockdown to slow the spread of the virus, despite a steady rise in numbers that has brought Russia to second place in a global tally of infections after the US.